Academic Catalogs

Sociology, Associate of Arts Degree Major

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.cccd.edu.

Banner Code: 3_AA_SOC

Control Number: 18224

Financial Aid Eligible


Sociology is the study of social life and focuses on the interaction between human groups and institutions and their influences on each other. Sociology ranges from the study of relationships in family units in the most primitive cultures to the research of large bureaucratic institutions in major industrialized nations. Sociology also studies more tangible measures of human behavior such as class or social status, social movements, and criminal deviance.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical thinking and the use of sociological theory in analyzing social reality.
  2. Develop an understanding of the sociological perspectives and apply the logic to the analysis of issues.
  3. Articulate the process of social change and diversity in the U.S. and in the international context.
  4. Distinguish between personal opinion and evidence gathered using the scientific process.

Associate Degree Requirements

Unit Requirement

Complete at least 60 units of acceptable college work with a minimum of 12 units completed in residence at Coastline. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher from all colleges attended and a 2.0 or higher grade point average at Coastline.

*Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation and/or disqualification) during the semester graduation is petitioned.

Program of Study

Complete the required courses in one of the programs as detailed In the Requirements for the Major section of this catalog. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

General Education

Complete one of the three General Education options below (visit the General Education page for details):

Option 1 — AA/AS Local Degree GE: designed for students pursuing an Associate degree and who may or may not be planning to transfer to a four-year university. The degree is transferable to many colleges and universities.

Option 2—CSU GE Breadth: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU system. It may also be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.

Option 3—IGETC: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU or UC system. It also may be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.

Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement

Complete at least 2.5 units from any Global and Multicultural Studies courses. See what courses fulfill the Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement.

Course Title Units
Required Core
Complete the following:
SOC C100Introduction to Sociology3
MATH C160Introduction to Statistics4
Program Electives
Complete four of the following:12
Cultural Anthropology
Introduction to Human Services
Helping Theories and Intervention Strategies
Introduction to Crisis Intervention
Treatment Issues in Substance Abuse
Human Relations in Business
Human Relations in Business
Dating, Relationships, and Marriage
Introduction to Gerontology
Introduction to Gerontology
Globalization and Social Change
Analysis of Social Problems
Racial and Ethnic Relations in America
Racial and Ethnic Relations in America
Perspectives of Sex and Gender
Units Required for Major19
Local General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC patternVaries
Electives to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60